DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

Sgt. Alfred P. Coffroth

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMYHeadquarters, United States Army VietnamAPO San Francisco 96375

GENERAL ORDERSNUMBER 53255

AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

TC 320. The following AWARD is announced.

COFFROTH, ALFRED P SERGEANT E5 United States Army Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Air Cavalry Division, APO 96383.Awarded: Distinguished Service CrossDate of action: 31 January 1968Theater: Republic of VietnamReason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam; Sergeant Coffroth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as an infantry squad leader on a search and destroy mission in the village of Dong Loch. A large enemy force had moved into the village and set up heavily fortified positions. Sergeant Coffroth's company was moving up to sweep the hamlet when it encountered intense automatic weapons and small arms fire from numerous enemy emplacements. Under a curtain of fire, Sergeant Coffroth immediately moved his squad to a more protected position. Upon reaching it, his element came under heavy grazing fire from a flanking bushline. With complete disregard for his safety, Sergeant Coffroth maneuvered to the edge of the brush, killed five of the enemy, and captured three automatic weapons and a rocket launcher. As he led his squad into the bushline, it received automatic weapons fire from a fortified bunker. Again exposing him self to a hail of bullets, Sergeant Coffroth destroyed the position with a rocket launcher, killing thirteen more insurgents. Ordering his men to withdraw, he provided covering fire for them, killing two snipers. Before he could reach a protected position for himself, Sergeant Coffroth was mortally wounded by small arms fire. Sergeant Coffroth's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his lief were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States. Army.

Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.